Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center, located at 2500 E Shotwell St, Bainbridge, GA 39819.
The Carter Arts & Lecture Series at ABAC Bainbridge is pleased to begin its exciting spring 2026 lineup featuring world-class music and acclaimed literary talent. Through a varied lineup of speakers, authors and performers, the series provides shared cultural experiences that bring students and the broader community together in ways that inform, inspire and engage.
All Carter Arts & Lecture Series events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center at ABAC Bainbridge or on the Bainbridge Town Square.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Jasmin Arakawa
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 | 7 p.m.
Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center, ABAC Bainbridge
The spring 2026 series opens with a recital by internationally acclaimed pianist Jasmin Arakawa, whose performances have been described by Gramophone as having “characterful sparkle.”
Arakawa has appeared in concert across North America, Central and South America, Europe, China and Japan. She is a prizewinner of the Jean Françaix International Music Competition and has performed in major venues including Carnegie Hall, Salle Gaveau and Victoria Hall. Her performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio and Radio France.
As a concerto soloist, Arakawa has performed with the Philips Symfonie Orkest in Amsterdam, the Orquestra Sinfônica de Piracicaba in Brazil and orchestras throughout the United States and Japan. Her debut solo recording, Klavierabend (MSR Classics), received strong critical praise, with American Record Guide highlighting her “rich lyricism” and “supreme clarity.”
Arakawa serves as associate professor of piano and piano area coordinator at the University of Florida and is director of the UF International Piano Festival.
Additional events
Author Skip Horack
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 7 p.m.
Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center, ABAC Bainbridge
Award-winning author Skip Horack will headline an evening of literature and storytelling as part of the Carter Arts & Lecture Series.
The Joe Gransden Quartet with the ABAC Jazz Ensemble
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Bainbridge Town Square
The spring 2026 series concludes with an outdoor jazz performance featuring the Joe Gransden Quartet alongside the ABAC Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Andrew Peal.
About Arts & Culture at ABAC
Arts & Culture at ABAC celebrates the power of live arts to bring people together, preserve cultural heritage and reflect the rich diversity of our shared human experience. Each season offers a dynamic tapestry of events ranging from classical and contemporary performances to literary presentations, theater, music and unique visual storytelling. Whether through imaginative productions, powerful choral and instrumental works, or engaging tributes and author talks, Arts & Culture at ABAC showcases the many dimensions of who we are as individuals and as a community. We invite you to join us in experiencing these vibrant expressions that honor our identities, our stories and the moments we share.
